Archive for the 'The White Buffalo' Tag Under 'Soundcheck' Category

Doubt you’re going to score tickets to either night of Almost Acoustic Christmas next month? At least the Observatory and its adjacent Constellation Room are providing a little consolation regarding two increasingly popular imports.

Foals, the noteworthy British band that until now hadn’t been on KROQ’s radar, will prep for their AAC turn with a proper set at the Santa Ana club on Dec. 5, $25. And Danish group New Politics, another Night 1 attraction, has already booked a return engagement, Feb. 18 in Constellation. Both of those shows go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

That smaller spot is also saving us a couple trips up the 5 early next year. Riveting multi-instrumentalist Robert DeLong announced he will play Jan. 30 in Constellation, $15, ahead of a Jan. 31 gig at El Rey Theatre, $17, while St. Lucia, already slated for two nights (Feb. 11-12) at that L.A. venue, has tacked on a Valentine’s Day set on the Observatory’s second stage, $16. All of those are also on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

There are two more intriguing bookings in that room: the Olms, featuring Pete Yorn and JD King, Dec. 10, $15; and a solo set from Say Anything frontman Max Bemis, Jan. 23, $14.

Last summer the Orange County Great Park hosted 13 free concerts as part of its Flights & Sounds series. This year, however, facing criticism from the Irvine City Council over costs and crowds, the tally has been reduced to just four shows, slated for Saturday nights in August.

Retro-ska favorites the Aggrolites, led by onetime O.C. resident Jesse Wanger, will kick off the run Aug. 10, with support from Chris Brokaw of Simple Green. Rising roots-rocker the White Buffalo, aka singer-songwriter Jake Smith, takes the stage on Aug. 17, with Alice Wallace opening.

Upright-bass-playing "American Idol" finalist Casey Abrams arrives Aug. 24, with a warm-up set from local pop darling Stacy Clark, and the program concludes Aug. 31 with performances from Western Standard Time and Colin Giles.

Parking is $10 and there will be a variety of food trucks on hand, but alcohol won't be sold, nor will patrons be permitted to bring their own.

Secondly: Single-day tickets are now on sale, starting at $60 for general admission. VIP ducats are $125 and Lounge access is $225 per person. Full-weekend passes are also still available, while supplies last, starting at $100 for general admission. Click here for a complete list of prices.

Thirdly: Since single-day tickets are being offered, the breakdown of who's playing which half of the weekend bash at Doheny State Beach has been revealed.

Gonna be a loooooong wait for Keith Urban fans this year. Tickets for his return to Staples Center go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. -- but he doesn't actually come to L.A. for another seven months, headlining the arena on Oct. 8. Jake Owen will open. Prices are $25.-$75.

Speaking of Staples, here's a reminder: Usher's June 1 show there, with Akon opening, goes on sale Friday at 10 a.m. as well, $29.50-$125.

Now that they're about to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the original Alice Cooper Group -- including guitarists Glen Buxton (he died in 1997) and Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith -- are playing together again. They will appear April 20 at Club Nokia, in a Revolver-sponsored evening also featuring Duff McKagan's Loaded, Asking Alexandria, Sebastian Bach, DevilDriver and more. Tickets, $39.50-$100, are on sale now.

Also at that L.A. Live venue: Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane & His Big Band will perform March 26, with Sara Bareilles guesting, $28.50-$153.50 ... and rapper Talib Kweli will perform April 3, along with Strong Arm Steady, David Banner and 9th Wonder, $28.50-$35. Both of those are on sale now.

Kweli, by the way, is one of several new standouts slated for gigs at Detroit Bar, that Costa Mesa cornershop of indie joy where nothing really gets happening until at least 11 p.m.